GLOSSARY

ACAS: Acronym for Armed Forces of the Coalition of Allied Systems. The ACAS is divided into two branches of service: the army and navy. Both rely on vat soldiers for their personnel. Officers in both branches are natural born as vats cannot hold ranks above sergeant.

Al-Kimia: Most prosperous of the Edge worlds not aligned with the Coalition of Allied Systems. It is famous for its advanced medical facilities and is an active leader in resisting Coalition attempts to annex all the Edge worlds.

Allenium: A Mudar alloy that is incredibly strong and resilient. The Coalition uses this metal for vat nanites and interfaces as well as shielding. The Edge does not have the ability to make allenium, so the salvaging of it from Mudar technology is essential.

Amp: A combat drug given to vats to strengthen and extend the rush response. It can allow a vat to go for days without food, water or rest, but it extracts a horrible toll on the vat’s body. If the neutralizer is not given as the amp wears off, the user suffers paralyzing muscle contractions.

Bel-Prime: An Edge world that revolted against the Coalition. Coalition reports state that the revolt was promoted by Al-Kimian agents and was suppressed by ACAS troops. Hal saved Tyce’s life during the assault.

Blaspistol/rifle: Generic term for any weapon which uses laser technology as opposed to older weapons using traditional kinetic energy rounds.

Bolt catcher: Vat slang term for expendable soldier.

Border: The region of space deemed off limits to human travel by the ACAS, except by permit. This area was the scene of battles and skirmishes during the Mudar War and contains many pieces of technology that can be valuable to the legal (and illegal) salvage crews that operate there.

BromCorp: The largest supplier of drugs for the military. They are responsible for manufacturing amp.

Coalition of Allied Systems (Coalition): A governmental body that controls the Inner Spiral worlds and much of the Edge. Since the conclusion of the Mudar War it has become expansionist and seeks to control any and all technology found beyond the Border.

Corvette: A naval patrol vehicle larger than an escort, but smaller than a destroyer. These vessels are used by the ACAS to enforce its laws restricting travel beyond the Edge’s Borders.

Cruiser: Large naval spacecraft of various configurations. Command cruisers are employed to serve as flagships for transportation of important personnel, while heavy cruisers are the main strike force ships, with immense firepower.

Destroyer: The workhorse vessels of the ACAS fleet. These ships are employed in any number of missions as needed by the Coalition.

Cube: Small hotel rooms on space stations and space ports.

Echo: One of the three big galaxy-wide hacking groups. Vivi’s ex-boyfriend Noah was a member of Echo.

Edge: A region of space containing numerous planets and systems, at the furthest reaches of Coalition control. These were the systems most impacted by the Mudar War.

Edger: A somewhat derogatory term used by some for a person who lives, works or spends most of their time in the Edge.

Escort: A naval vessel whose primary purpose is to provide support for larger ships, convoy protection, or other duties where a light small ship is needed.

EVA: An abbreviation for extravehicular activity. The term is used for spacewalks or as an adjective to designate specialized equipment used for spacewalks.

Feeds: Any source of electronic information provided over handhelds and other communication devices. Many believe the Coalition uses the feeds for pro-Coalition propaganda purposes.

Freighter: Generic term used for several classes and sizes of ships whose purpose is to haul cargo or ferry personnel. Size is generally noted by letters. “A” Class being the largest and “S” Class the smallest. The Loshad is a “J” Class Freighter denoting it as a mid-size ship.

Handheld: A palm-sized voice and text communication device also used to download information from the feeds. Some handhelds have holo capability.

Interface node: A piece of a vat’s interface that transmits signals to different areas of the brain.

Jaleeth: The second largest space station in the Edge. Jaleeth is shaped like an X with thick legs that extend out from the central point.

K-245j: The planet where the Loshad’s crew find a crashed Mudar ship.

LanTech: Salvage company started by Hugh Lan. It is the largest salvage company in the Edge.

Mudar: The race of AI who came to the Spiral for unknown reasons. According to the Coalition of Allied Systems, they were seeking to obliterate the human race until they were defeated and forced to retreat.

Nat: Vat slang for natural born human-beings.

Null: An illegal drug, null is extremely addictive to vats who use it as a release from the constant state of anxiety programmed into them.

Omicron: The largest space station in the Edge, it is a star-like structure with radial arms.

Quad: A game played by two teams on a field divided into four quads. A round ball is thrown and caught. Two famous teams in the Spiral are the Navs and the Bels.

Rinal: ACAS space station/base near the Edge.

Robotic Exploration Unit: (REU) A drone with a camera and manipulators. It is versatile in any environment and can fly, swim or roll on land.

Rush: The adrenaline response of a vat, marked by dilated pupils and excessive energy. With the rush, a vat can think faster, see farther and fight harder than a natural born.

Scrill or Scrilla: Edger slang for money.

Shredder comm: A cheap prepaid handheld. Shredders lack many features of a traditional handheld and are meant to be thrown away after a time.

Spiral: The part of the galaxy containing the home worlds of the Coalition. Many of its citizens know little about what life is really like in the Edge. Those that do rely on Coalition media outlets to provide coverage of events.

TechSolutions: The largest technology firm based on Omicron Station.

Tecker: Slang for technology specialist.

Tecker node: Bioware that allows for a virtual reality link with a computer. It assists teckers interfacing with the sophisticated computer systems by allowing them to do so virtually. Tecker nodes are not as extensive as a vat interface.

Vanguard Assault Troops: The artificially gestated, genetically manipulated and technologically augmented soldiers of the ACAS. The program was initially created during the Mudar War, but now vats are used to enforce Coalition laws and expansion. Through their interfaces, these second-class citizens are programmed for loyalty to the ACAS and its officers.

Vat: Slang term used for Vanguard Assault Troops

Vat’s Creed: A formal system of beliefs imposed on the vats through their training and reinforced through their interface. It says: “I am the fist of the ACAS. In war I am strength. I bring the justice of the Coalition to its enemies. Victory is mine. I will gladly fight to the death. I do not surrender to exhaustion or fear. I am steadfast and tenacious in the face of adversity. I am inexorable. I am the ACAS!”

Viblade: A term for a series of hand-to-hand weapons which operate through the use of an electrically charged vibrating blade. These weapons can be small for concealed use or larger military weapons such as swords and bayonets.

Yeoman: Naval occupation (rating) of a person who serves as an assistant to an officer.